Device and method for sewing the toe of a tubular knitted article

ABSTRACT

The device ( 1 ) comprises a continuous flexible member ( 7 ), configured and arranged to press with a branch thereof an end portion of the tubular knitted article (G 1 , G 2 ) against a supporting surface ( 31 ) and to feed the tubular knitted article (G 1 , G 2 ) along a feed path from an insertion position toward and through a sewing area in which there is arranged a sewing machine ( 5 ). In the insertion area the portion of continuous flexible member in contact with the tubular knitted article (G 1 , G 2 ) forms a first curve ( 7 A;  7 B). In the sewing area, the continuous flexible member ( 7 ) co-acts with a convex deflector profile ( 25 ), which imparts to the continuous flexible member ( 7 ) a curvature with a convexity facing the same part as the convexity of the first curve ( 7 A;  7 B) of the continuous flexible member ( 7 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A device is disclosed for closing, by means of sewing, a toe of a tubular knitted article, such as a sock, a stocking, or a leg of a pantyhose. Also disclosed is a method for closing, by means of sewing, the toe of a tubular knitted article.

BACKGROUND ART

In the hosiery industry, it is known to produce tubular knitted articles, such as stockings or socks, on a circular knitting machine, and to unload the complete tubular article, with an open end or toe, intended to be closed by means of sewing in a subsequent processing step. In some cases, the tubular knitted article is a leg of a more complex garment, in particular a pantyhose. The garment can be formed by two legs and by a body that can in some cases be knitted in a single operation on a knitting machine. According to more conventional methods, the garment is produced by joining two legs, formed by respective tubular knitted articles produced separately to one another. In some cases, the toe of the stocking or the toes of the legs of the pantyhose are closed in the same circular knitting machine that produces the garment or part thereof. More frequently, the toes of the tubular knitted articles, whether individual stockings, pantyhose legs or similar garments, are closed by sewing in separate machines, downstream of the knitting process. Sewing machines are used for this purpose, to which the tubular knitted articles are fed after they have been correctly oriented.

As the closed toe of the tubular knitted article must adapt to the toe of the foot of the person wearing the garment, it is useful for the seam line to be curved rather than rectilinear and in particular to follow a convex profile, which approximates the curvature of the toes of the foot toes. To this end, devices have been designed, which feed the tubular knitted article to the sewing machine imposing a deformation on the toe of the tubular knitted article such that, by sewing according to a straight line, a curved seam line is obtained. Devices of this type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,419 and in DE2524238.

In these known devices, the area of the tubular knitted article adjacent to the toe is clamped between a feed belt and an opposing surface. The belt is an endless belt and defines a closed path. The active branch of the closed path draws the tubular knitted article from an insertion area to a sewing area. In the insertion area, the belt forms a curve corresponding to the profile of the seam line to be formed on the toe. In the sewing area, the belt follows a rectilinear path. Due to the change of curvature of the belt from the insertion area to the sewing area, in the finished article the seam line takes a convex profile, which adapts to the profile of the foot toe.

Due to the way in which the curved profile is formed, in the sewn tubular knitted article wrinkles form at the seam line, which can make the garment somewhat uncomfortable.

Therefore, there is the need to improve the devices for sewing the toes of tubular knitted articles, such as stockings or pantyhose legs, in order to overcome or alleviate the aforesaid problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To completely or partially solve one or more of the problems of the prior art, according to a first aspect a device for sewing a toe of a tubular knitted article is provided, comprising a continuous flexible member, configured and arranged to press with a branch thereof an end portion of the tubular knitted article against an opposing surface and to feed the tubular knitted article along a feed path from an insertion position toward and through a sewing area in which a sewing machine is arranged, for sewing the toe of the tubular knitted article. In the insertion position the branch of the continuous flexible member that presses the tubular article against the opposing surface forms a first curve. In the sewing area, the continuous flexible member co-acts with a convex deflector profile, along which the continuous flexible member is guided, and which imparts to the continuous flexible member a curvature with a convexity facing the same part as the convexity of the first curve of the continuous flexible member.

With this arrangement, a seam is generated according to a curved line, the shape of which is defined by the first curve formed by the continuous flexible member. However, in the area in which the sewing machine acts the fabric of the tubular knitted article is not deformed, or is deformed to a limited extent, due to the deflector profile, and therefore the formation of wrinkles in the sewn article is prevented or reduced.

The device can also comprise an inserter, to transfer the tubular knitted article from a first position to the insertion position between the continuous flexible member and the opposing surface. The first curve has a convexity facing in the direction of feed of the tubular knitted article from the first position to the insertion position.

In some embodiments, the continuous flexible member forms, between the first curve and the convex deflector profile, a curved segment with a concavity opposite to the concavity of said first curve. In practice, along the active branch thereof, the flexible member follows an undulating profile.

The deflector profile can be formed by an idler wheel, or by a stationary cam.

Advantageously, the deflector profile can comprise a maximum point, positioned approximately at the sewing point of the sewing machine.

In advantageous embodiments, the deflector profile is adjustable at least in a direction approximately orthogonal to the feed path of the tubular knitted article. Analogously, the idler and guide members that define the curve or curves of the flexible member in the insertion area of the tubular knitted article can also be adjusted. Said members can comprise a plurality of idler wheels and/or of stationary cam profiles, on which the continuous flexible member is guided.

According to a further aspect, a method is provided for sewing a toe of a tubular knitted article, comprising the steps of:

engaging an end of the tubular knitted article between an opposing surface and a continuous flexible member, which forms in the engaging area a curve with a convexity facing the toe of the tubular knitted article;

transferring the tubular knitted article by means of the continuous flexible member along the opposing surface toward a sewing area, imparting to the toe of the tubular knitted article a curvature inverse to the curve of the continuous flexible member in the area of engagement;

sewing the toe of the tubular knitted article by means of a sewing machine while feeding the toe of the tubular knitted article through a sewing area by means of the continuous flexible member, in the sewing area the continuous flexible member being curved according to a curvature having a convexity facing the sewing machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood by following the description and accompanying drawing, which shows practical non-limiting embodiments of the invention. More specifically, in the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows an axonometric view of the device, including a sewing machine;

FIG. 2 illustrates an axonometric view of the device with parts removed, in which the flexible member and its path are in particular visible;

FIG. 3 illustrates a lateral view of the inserter, of the flexible member and of the elements co-acting therewith in a first step of the sewing cycle;

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of the inserter in the layout of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 to 12 illustrate views similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 in subsequent steps of the operating cycle;

FIGS. 13 to 15 show plan views of the sewing operations in subsequent steps of the operating cycle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. Additionally, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” means that the particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment(s). Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

In the following description reference is made to an exemplary embodiment of a device for sewing the toes of tubular knitted articles formed by already assembled pantyhose legs. Each tubular article is thus formed by one of the two legs that, joined to a panty, form a complex garment. Sewing of the toes of the two legs of a pantyhose takes place in sequence. However, as will be apparent to the person skilled in the art from the description below, the device can be easily modified to produce single tubular knitted articles, such as socks or stockings, or legs intended to be joined to each other to form a pantyhose.

With initial reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the device, indicated as a whole with 1, comprises a cluster 3 of members for inserting and feeding tubular knitted articles, and a stitcher or sewing machine 5. The sewing machine 5 can be an overlock sewing machine, of known type. The sewing machine sews the toe of the article and cuts a scrap of fabric, external to the seam line.

The cluster 3 comprises a continuous flexible member 7, which can, for example, be a belt and shall be designated as such hereinafter. The belt 7 defines a closed path with an active branch and a return branch. For this purpose, the belt 7 is guided around two pulleys 9, 10, one of which is motorized, for example the pulley 9. Reference number 11 indicates a gear motor to drive the belt 7. Reference f7 indicates the direction of feed of the belt 7 along the closed path defined thereby. Adjustable idler wheels or pulleys are provided along the active branch of the belt, which impose on the belt 7 a path that forms two curves 7A, 7B. The first curve 7A is positioned between two idler wheels 13, 15. A central idler wheel 17 is positioned in an intermediate position between the idler wheels 13, 15. The belt 7 is guided around the central idler wheel 17 so as to follow, in substance, a curved path with a maximum at the central idler wheel. The second curve 7B is formed between the idler wheel 15 and a further idler wheel 19. A further central idler wheel 21 is positioned between the idler wheels 15, 19.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, five idler wheels 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 are provided, as the device is configured to handle pantyhose and therefore to process two legs simultaneously, each of which defines a respective tubular knitted article. In other embodiments, if the device is configured to handle single tubular knitted articles only, such as socks or stockings, it is sufficient to arrange a single curve in the closed path formed by the belt 7.

The curves 7A and 7B are arranged with a concavity facing the area from which the tubular knitted articles arrive and a convexity facing the toe of the tubular knitted article, after it has been inserted in the device 1, as explained below. The tubular knitted articles are inserted under the belt 7 by an inserter, described below.

Reference F indicates the direction of feed of the tubular knitted articles toward the sewing machine 5 along the path defined by the belt 7. In practice, the active segment of the belt 7 defines, in a system of Cartesian axes, of which F is the abscissa, an undulating line with two maxima, at the two central idler wheels 17, 21.

In advantageous embodiments, the idler wheels 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 can be supported idle and rotate about respective axes as a result of the movement imparted to the belt 7 by the gear motor 11. In some embodiments, one, some or all of the idler wheels 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 can be adjustable. For example, the position of their respective rotation axes can be adjustable, independently from one another, orthogonally to arrow F. In some embodiments, alternatively or in addition to the adjustment orthogonally to the arrow F, an adjustment in a direction parallel to the arrow F can also be provided. By means of the adjustment of the position of the rotation axes of the idler wheels it is possible to modify the shape of each curve 7A, 7B according to necessity. For example, it is possible to modify the two curves 7A, 7B so that each curve is not symmetrical, but the two curves are symmetrical to each other with respect to a line orthogonal to the arrow F and containing the axis of the intermediate idler wheel 15. In this way, as will be apparent below, seam lines can be made on two legs of a pantyhose, which have symmetrical shapes instead of being the same for the toes of the two legs.

A convex deflector profile 25 is provided between the idler wheel 19 and the idler pulley 10, along the path of the active branch of the belt 7. In the embodiment illustrated, the convex deflector profile 25 is a stationary profile, formed in the manner of a cam. The belt 7 is guided around the convex deflector profile 25 and slides thereon. It would also be possible to replace the stationary convex deflector profile 25 with a deflector wheel, for example mounted idle, around which the belt 7 is guided.

The convex deflector profile 25 has a convexity oriented in the same direction as the convexity of the curves 7A, 7B formed by the belt. In substance, as shown in the figures, the convexities of the curves 7A, 7B and of the deflector profile 25 are all oriented in the direction indicated by the arrow C. Consequently, when guided around the idler wheels 17 and 21 the belt is deflected to form a curve that has the convexity oriented in the same direction as the convexity imparted to the same belt 7 when it follows the convex deflector profile 25.

The convex deflector profile 25 follows a curve with a maximum point 25 m. The maximum point 25 m can be advantageously positioned in the sewing area of the sewing machine 5, i.e. in the area in which the sewing needles of the sewing machine 5 act, area indicated with 27 in the drawing. The needles are not shown in the drawing.

In other embodiments, not shown, the idler wheels 17 and 21 can be replaced by cam deflector profiles, similar to the deflector profile 25. In some embodiments, the idler wheels 13, 15, 19 can be completely or partially replaced by stationary cam profiles. In general, both the convex deflector profile 25, and any profiles in substitution of one or more of the idler wheels 13-19 can be made of materials with a low coefficient of friction, to facilitate sliding of the belt 7.

The device 1 comprises an opposing surface that can be formed, completely or partially, by a supporting surface 31. The supporting surface 31 can extend along the active portion of the path defined by the belt 7, at least in the section thereof where the belt 7 forms the curves 7A, 7B and the curve around the convex deflector profile 25. In some embodiments, the supporting surface 31 is at least partially formed by a moving plate 33, provided with a substantially vertical movement, in the example, orthogonal to the direction of feed F of the tubular articles. The movement of the moving plate 33 is indicated by the double arrow f33 and can be controlled by an actuator 35, for example a piston-cylinder actuator, or by an electric motor or other suitable actuator.

In the embodiment illustrated, the moving plate 33 co-acts with a moving presser 37, positioned above the supporting surface 31 and provided with a movement parallel to the movement of the moving plate 33, indicated with the double arrow f37. Reference number 39 indicates an actuator that controls the movement according to the double arrow f37. The moving plate 33 and the moving presser 37 are positioned one in front of the other to pinch there between the toe of the tubular knitted article to be sewn, as will be described below with reference to the sequence of FIGS. 3-15, which show the operating cycle of the device.

In the embodiment illustrated, the device 1 also comprises an inserter 41, which is configured and arranged to insert pairs of legs to be sewn transferring them from a first position to a second position, indicated hereinafter as insertion position, in which the toes of the legs are between the moving plate 33 and the active branch of the belt 7. The insertion movement of the tubular articles performed by the inserter 41 is indicated by the arrow f41. In the embodiment illustrated the inserter 41 is configured to simultaneously insert two legs G1, G2 of a pantyhose Co between the belt 7 and the supporting surface 31 and therefore has a double configuration. In other embodiments, in particular if the tubular knitted articles to be sewn are not legs G1, G2 of a pantyhose Co, but single stockings, for example, the inserter 41 can be single, i.e., configured to insert tubular knitted articles one at a time between the belt 7 and the supporting surface 31.

In the example illustrated the inserter 41 comprises two tubular members 43A, 43B, on each of which one of the two legs G1, G2 is inserted. A pair of wings, 45A, 45A and 45B, 45B respectively, can be housed inside each of the two tubular members 43A, 43B. The wings can be movable axially, i.e., parallel to the axis of the respective tubular member 43A, 43B, and transverse to said axis, to extract the respective leg G1, G2 removing it partially from the tubular member 43A, 43B, taking it between the belt 7 and the underlying supporting surface 31, with a movement described below.

Each tubular knitted article formed by the leg G1 or G2 can have, at the end of the toe to be sewn, an edge B that is removed by cutting after or during sewing of the toe. The seam line is located inside the edge B, so that this latter can be cut and removed from the finished article, leaving intact the seam that closes the respective toe of the leg G1 or G2, respectively.

Operation of the device described above will now be illustrated in detail with reference to the sequence of FIGS. 3 to 15. FIGS. 3 and 4 show an initial step of positioning the pantyhose Co and in particular the two legs G1, G2. The wings 45A, 45A and 45B, 45B have been extracted transversely from the respective tubular members 43A 34B and the respective legs are stretched orthogonally to their longitudinal extension.

In the subsequent step illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 the wings 45A, 45A and 45B, 45B are extracted longitudinally from the respective tubular members 43A, 43B and, as a result of the friction between wings and fabric of the legs G1, G2, these latter are drawn by the wings until the respective toes and edges B are taken below and beyond the belt 7, between it and the underlying moving plate 33, carrying out a movement according to the arrow f41. In practice, each tubular knitted article formed by the leg G1 or G2 has in this way been translated from a first position (FIG. 3) to an insertion position (FIG. 5). The respective convexities of the curves 7A, 7B of the belt 7 are facing the edges B of the two tubular knitted articles G1, G2, which are on the opposite part of the belt with respect to the initial position.

In the subsequent step (FIGS. 7, 8), the moving plate 33 and the moving presser 37 are moved toward each other (arrows f33, f37 in FIG. 7) to pinch the two tubular knitted articles G1, G2 against the wings 45A, 45A and 45B, 45B. Preferably, the stroke of the moving plate 33 and of the moving presser 37 is such that the total bending stress applied on the wings 45A, 45A and 45B, 45B is substantially zero, thereby avoiding bending strain of the wings.

Subsequently (FIGS. 9, 10) the wings 45A, 45A and 45B, 45B are retracted, while the two tubular knitted articles G1 and G2 remain pinched between the moving plate 33 and the moving presser 37. In practice, the friction between the fabric of the legs and the elements 33, 37 is greater than the friction between fabric and wings, so that the wings are removed from the inside of the legs, which remain blocked between the moving presser 37 and the moving plate 33.

Once the wings have been retracted, the moving presser 37 and the moving plate 33 are raised until the moving plate 33 is presses against the lower edge of the belt 7. In this way the two toes of the two tubular knitted articles G1, G2 are pinched between the moving plate 33 and the lower edge of the belt 7. The moving presser 37 can be moved to a non-operating position, i.e., a raised position not in contact with the underlying tubular articles G1, G2. This new position is represented in FIGS. 11 and 12.

During the operations described above the belt 7 is stationary. After reaching the position of the FIGS. 11 and 12, the belt 7 can start moving according to arrow f7, to feed the two tubular knitted articles G1, G2 toward the sewing area. Each tubular knitted article G1, G2 is engaged along a curve defined by the belt 7, between this latter and the moving plate 33. When the belt 7 starts moving according to arrow f7 (FIG. 13), it draws each tubular knitted article G1, G2 by friction, according to the arrow F, along the supporting surface 31 toward the sewing area, where the sewing machine 5 is located.

As a result of the curvature imparted to the belt 7 by the idler wheels, when each tubular knitted article G1 and G2 follows the path of the belt 7, adhering by friction to the lower edge of the belt 7, it is deformed. The line of contact between tubular knitted article G1, G2 and belt 7 is deformed and, as a consequence of this, the edge B of the tubular knitted article G1, G2 takes a concave shape.

Continuing the feed toward the sewing area, the tubular article G1, G2 remains in contact without sliding with the belt 7 and therefore follows the curvature of the convex deflector profile 25. While it is being fed, at the maximum point 25 m of the curve defined by the convex deflector profile 25, the tubular knitted article G1, G2 is sewn by the sewing machine 5, as represented schematically in the plan view of FIG. 14. This figure shows an intermediate step of the operation to sew the leg G1. Reference L indicates the seam line that has been made on half of the toe of the leg G1 by the needle (not shown) of the sewing machine 5 that acts in the point 27. The edge B of the toe of the tubular knitted article G1 has been cut along the area involved by the seam L, while it still remains in the area that has not reached the point 27 in which sewing takes place.

In FIG. 15 a pantyhose Co has been completely sewn: the toes of the two tubular knitted articles represented by the two legs G1, G2 have been sewn along curved and convex seam lines L, which approximately follow the profile of the toe of the foot. The subsequent pantyhose, indicated here with C1, is being sewn: the first leg G1 of the pantyhose C1 has been sewn, the second leg G2 is being sewn. A third pantyhose C3 is standing by to be inserted into the operating position.

Due to the presence of the convex deflector profile 25, in the point 27 in which sewing takes place the fabric of the tubular knitted article G1, G2 is forced to follow the convex deflector profile 25 which locally annuls the deformation imposed on the knitted fabric by the movement imparted by the belt 7 in the previous section of the feed path, between the curves 7A or 7B and the idler wheel 15 or 19. As the convexity of the curve 7A or 7B and the convexity of the deflector profile 25 are oriented in the same direction (arrow C), in the sewing area (point 27) in substance the fabric of the tubular knitted article is in a practically undeformed condition. Consequently, as the resulting seam line L is curved, due to the sum of the effects of the curves 7A or 7B and of the convex deflector profile 25 on the knitted fabric of the tubular knitted article G1, G2, the fabric is sewn substantially without wrinkles. 

1. A device for sewing a toe of a tubular knitted article, the device comprising: a continuous flexible member comprising a branch, said continuous flexible member being configured and arranged to press an end portion of the tubular knitted article with the branch against a supporting surface and to feed the tubular knitted article along a feed path from an insertion position toward and through a sewing area, wherein a sewing machine is arranged for sewing the toe of the tubular knitted article, wherein the branch of the continuous flexible member forms a curve in the insertion position wherein the continuous flexible member co-acts with a convex deflector profile in the sewing area, wherein the convex deflector profile forms a curvature in the continuous flexible member, the curvature comprising a convexity facing on a same side as a convexity of the curve of the continuous flexible member.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising an inserter for transferring the tubular knitted article from a first position to the insertion position between the continuous flexible member and the supporting surface, the convexity of the curve facing in a direction of feed of the tubular knitted article from the first position to the insertion position.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the continuous flexible member forms a curved segment between the curve and the convex deflector profile, the curved segment comprising a concavity opposite with respect to a concavity of the curve.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the convex deflector profile is formed by a stationary cam.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the convex deflector profile comprises a maximum point positioned approximately at a sewing point of the sewing machine.
 6. The device as claimed in is claim 1, wherein the convex deflector profile is adjustable at least in a direction approximately orthogonal to the feed path of the tubular knitted article.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the continuous flexible member forms another curve having an another curve convexity facing the same side as the convexity of the curve, the curve and the another curve being arranged in sequence along the feed path of the tubular knitted article.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the curve and the another curve formed by the continuous flexible member is adjustable.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the curve and the another curve of the continuous flexible member is formed by one or more of idle wheels and guide profiles, adjustable in position to change a shape of at least the curve.
 10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting surface is at least partially formed by a plate movable in a direction approximately orthogonal to the feed path of the tubular knitted article and to a direction of insertion of the tubular knitted article.
 11. The device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a movable presser arranged and controlled to pinch the tubular knitted article against the plate, outside a path defined by the continuous flexible member.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the movable presser is controlled so as to move away from the plate and allow transfer of the tubular knitted article along the movable plate by friction of the continuous flexible member.
 13. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inserter comprises at least a pair of wings, the tubular knitted article being inserted on the pair of wings, the tubular knitted article being transferred in the insertion position via the pair of wings between the continuous flexible member and the supporting surface.
 14. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the inserter comprises at least a pair of wings, the tubular knitted article being inserted on the pair of wings, the knitted article being transferred in the insertion position via the pair of wings between the continuous flexible member and the supporting surface, the pair of wings, the movable presser and the plate being arranged and controlled so that when the pair of wings are positioned between the plate and the movable presser with the tubular knitted article inserted thereon, the movable plate and the movable presser are moved toward each other pinching the tubular knitted article against the pair of wings, and the pair of wings are retracted and withdrawn from the tubular knitted article, the tubular knitted article remaining pinched between the plate and the movable presser.
 15. A method for sewing a toe of a tubular knitted article, the method comprising the steps of: engaging the tubular knitted article in an area of the toe of the tubular knitted article between an opposing surface and a continuous flexible member, the continuous flexible member forming a curve in an engaging area, the curve comprising a convexity facing the toe of the tubular knitted article; the tubular knitted article via the continuous flexible member along an opposing surface toward a sewing area, imparting to the toe of the tubular knitted article an inverse curvature with respect to the curve of the continuous flexible member in the engaging area; sewing the toe of the tubular knitted article via a sewing machine by feeding the toe of the tubular knitted article through a sewing area via the continuous flexible member, the continuous flexible member being curved in the sewing area according to a curvature having a convexity facing a same side as the curve of the continuous flexible member.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein engaging the end of the tubular knitted article between the opposing surface and the continuous flexible member comprises the following steps: positioning an inserter between the opposing surface and the continuous flexible member, the tubular knitted article being arranged on the inserter; pinching the tubular knitted article on opposite sides by the opposing surface and a movable presser, which pinch the tubular knitted article against the inserter; withdrawing the inserter from the tubular knitted article, wherein the tubular knitted article is pinched between the movable presser and the opposing surface to retain a position of the tubular knitted article when the inserter is withdrawn from the tubular knitted article; lifting the movable presser maintaining the tubular knitted article between the continuous flexible member and the opposing surface.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the step of sequentially sewing two toes of two tubular knitted articles to form part of a garment, wherein the two tubular knitted articles are sewn according to mutually symmetric lines, each of the mutually symmetric lines being shaped to adapt to an asymmetrical profile of a toe-end of a foot. 